Will a after market header with a CAT eliminate the chance of a CEL showing up?
Author: Amy Adams // Category: Cel Computer ProgrammingI want to avoid any CEL eliminators. I have read that almost any after market header will cause a check engine light to come on, but I thought it’s just because most after market headers DONT have CAT’s.
Some direction would be awesome!
The check engine light comes on because the headers can cause the O2 sensor to send values outside of the expected range.
It could also be because the person who installed the headers failed to install an O2 sensor.
With most headers you must drill a hole in the collector and weld in a bung for the O2 sensor. You may also need an extension cable for the wiring harness.
If done correctly you should not have a check engine light.
You must also use a set of low restriction catalytic converters if you don’t want the check engine light. This is because on a modern engine there will be a second O2 sensor on the other side of the catalytic converter. This second O2 sensor monitors the performance of the catalytic converter. If there is no catalytic converter to monitor the computer will consider this a fault and turn on the check engine light.
Many of the aftermarket performance muffler companies also sell low restriction catalytic converters.
January 25th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
The check engine light comes on because the headers can cause the O2 sensor to send values outside of the expected range.
It could also be because the person who installed the headers failed to install an O2 sensor.
With most headers you must drill a hole in the collector and weld in a bung for the O2 sensor. You may also need an extension cable for the wiring harness.
If done correctly you should not have a check engine light.
You must also use a set of low restriction catalytic converters if you don’t want the check engine light. This is because on a modern engine there will be a second O2 sensor on the other side of the catalytic converter. This second O2 sensor monitors the performance of the catalytic converter. If there is no catalytic converter to monitor the computer will consider this a fault and turn on the check engine light.
Many of the aftermarket performance muffler companies also sell low restriction catalytic converters.
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January 25th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
The reason that headers cause a CEL error is that many don’t have a tap for the O2 sensor. So, as long as the O2 sensor(s) are replaced, you should be okay.
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January 25th, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Sound good but trying is your best bet! Sensor location and heat. Add a hydrogen cell and clean it up.
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January 25th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Everything will depend on the engine management system.
If the CATs are of good quality, that’s a good step
If the management system has O2 sensors, make sure they’re installed.
Aftermarket headers don’t have CATs, they are a separate component. Some aftermarket converters also don’t have the "bungs" to thread in the O2 sensors. A qualified MIG welder can install the "bungs" in the correct position.
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Professional technician
January 25th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
the lack of the o2 sensors alone would trigger the light since there is no heater circuit, a slow response from the sensor and no signal variance from the pre and post cat sensors.
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